Gough can't see Australia winning a Test

Darren Gough believes there is no way back for Australia in the Ashes and can't see them winning a Test regardless of who makes up their bowling attack. The situation has become so desperate for the hosts that there are growing calls for Shane Warne to make a comeback but, while Gough thinks the legspinner would seriously consider it, he says Cricket Australia can't be seen to be making such a backward step.

As England completed their crushing innings-and-71-run victory in Adelaide, a campaign was launched to encourage Warne - who last played Tests four years ago - out of retirement to help salvage the series. Bookmakers have cut their odds on such a move, and a website has been launched to raise money, while Warne himself called the talk "flattering".

"It's not going happen. If someone rang Shane and said 'we really need you' I think he'd probably say yes, but Cricket Australia just aren't going to do that," Gough, who struck up a close friendship with Warne during their playing days, told ESPNcricinfo. "They would never ask him because it would be going back on their own statement to back youth. It just won't happen.

"I can't see how they are going to win a game," Gough added. "Their best chance is at Perth where their record is very good, but England have got players who all play well off the back foot so they won't be worried about extra bounce - they'll actually enjoy it. I just can't see that they have the bowlers, whoever they pick, to bowl England out twice."

Gough is bemused by the decision to dump Mitchell Johnson for the second Test despite his wicketless display at Brisbane and thinks the selectors will have to immediately backtrack on that call for Perth. Johnson is currently working with Troy Cooley at the WACA, rather than playing for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, and could be one of three players recalled alongside Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Hauritz.

"The reason they are struggling is because they can't take 20 wickets," Gough, speaking at the Red Tractor beef and lamb launch 'Give the Bird a Break', said. "They left out their best strike bowler in Mitchell Johnson which was a total surprise to me. He's the one guy who can bowl a team out and Ricky Ponting knows that and that's why he has backed him in the media. It will be interesting to see which way they go. They'll have to bring Johnson back to partner Ryan Harris so they have two strike bowlers."

England will also need to make a change to their attack for Perth after Stuart Broad was ruled out for the rest of the tour with a stomach injury. The three reserve quicks - Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad - will play against Victoria in a three-day match starting on Friday and despite his strong Yorkshire connection, Gough would go with Tremlett for the Test match.

"If it had been any other pitch over there I'd have gone for Tim Bresnan but I just think we need that bit of extra firepower at Perth where there's a touch more bounce," he said. "You look at history and the guys that have done well there are the tall bowlers - Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath - the guys who can hit back-of-a-length to make the most of the extra bounce and carry. That's the only reason I'd favour Tremlett. Bresnan is a fine bowler and in any other conditions I think he'd be the man.

"I think Tremlett has developed a lot over the last few years and his move to Surrey has clearly helped him. The key for England is to continue to be positive and I think Tremlett is the man who can help them do that in Perth," Gough added. "He would send out a positive message that England aren't going to sit back on their 1-0 lead. However, if they come across some flatter pitches later in the series I'd play Bresnan because he bowls good reverse swing and accurately. For this Test, though, they need to replace Broad's wicket-taking ability."

Gough has huge sympathy for Broad having twice experienced the major disappointment of leaving an Ashes tour. In 1994-95 Gough had produced a fine all-round performance in Sydney with 51 and 6 for 49 but then suffered a stress fracture of his foot, and eight years later returned home without playing a game. "He'll be distraught," Gough said. "An Ashes tour is the one you want to play on. I came home from my first Ashes tour and my last - without bowling a ball in 2002 - so I know exactly how he'll be feeling right now."

Darren Gough is launching the 'Give the Bird a Break' virtual Christmas cooking school for men together with Red Tractor beef and lamb. For his recipe videos and top tips visit www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk/birdabreak

Usually, in test matches - both teams play on the same pitch. Usually, the better team wins. At the Oval in 2009 Australia had openings on several occasions - they just weren't good enough to take them. Aus got bowled out for 160ish after being about 0/80ish. You can't win test matches playing like that on any surface. I seem to remember Eng being reduced to about 3/40 in 2nd Inns they couldn't put England away. Australia frankly - they just weren't good enough to win or even draw. Same goes for Adelaide 2010. It may be hard for you to accept that Marcio - but it needs to be faced. Bluff doesn't win test matches.

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | December 14, 2010, 13:36 GMT

@5wombats "In fact SA only managed to scramble a draw in the final test as a result of a pitch specially prepared for their bowlers." Pot kettle black. Short memory of the dustbowl you guys whipped up for the 5th test last ashes series?

POSTED BY
5wombats
on | December 13, 2010, 21:52 GMT

The usual silly, factually incorrect stuff here. @CricketFan1980; SA v Eng series was DRAWN my friend. In fact SA only managed to scramble a draw in the final test as a result of a pitch specially prepared for their bowlers. As for the Eng series in India - umpires played their part in that.... Goughie is right; Aus won't win a game in this series. @LePom - bang on comments; "For a while Australia has managed to hide its decline by a mixture of bluff and reputation, but the bluff has been called and the reputation is in tatters". This is how Australia fronted up in England summer 2009. And they lost. Bluff doesn't win test matches.

POSTED BY
mvkk
on | December 13, 2010, 6:17 GMT

I don't think Australia are going to give England the easy cake walk gough is expecting. Australia sill definitely come back very very strong. i expect Ponting to come out firing. Johnson and Harris would definitely bowl a lot better and i look forward to these guys to make Australia win this test.

POSTED BY
india-the-worldchampions
on | December 12, 2010, 20:03 GMT

I guess English are getting carried away with just one victory. Remember Indian Team were also in the same position in 2003-04 tour of Australia where the first match was drawn at brisbane and in Adelaide India won the match and were leading the series but in the next game at Melbourne Australia turned it around by leveling the series. I guess English Team and their media are prematurely getting excited which their habit since they always been suffering at the hand of Australia. Moreover,too much is being made of this victory.It must be seen as any other victory.

POSTED BY
brotherofcow
on | December 12, 2010, 18:58 GMT

Great logic, Goughie- the pitch has bounce so play someone who already ought to get bounce on any wicket. Seriously, I'd play Bresnan and Shahzad-who will both get bounce at the WACA if its needed- and drop Swann. Pietersen and Strauss both are in the wickets and can provide spin if needed (!) but pace wins at the WACA, not spin. As it is, Australia are the team who bizarrely might end up with the right kind of selection if only because they have no decent spinner that would feel obliged to play (sorry Beer - you aren't even a half-decent spinner!). Thus, I make Oz slight favourites - Johnson can't be as bad as he was at the Gabba. Can he?

POSTED BY
on | December 12, 2010, 14:27 GMT

To Vivekanand Joshi, I agree with you about sleeping lions being dangerous and I believe if England (I am English by the way) are over complacent they will let Australia in the door. You mentioned Ponting being likely to score big at Perth because he will feel his position as Captain under pressure of being axed. Well...i've got something to say about that. if Ponting does score BIG then you have to question his loyalty to his country and his selflessness because if he can only score highly when his position is under pressure then perhaps the Aussie selectors should threaten him with the sack every match. Ponting needs to come down off his cloud and start playing for his team rather than his own personal fate...and the same is to be said of Hussey and Clarke who will only perform better suddenly it seems when there's talk of them being dropped. They are too inconsistent.

POSTED BY
amit1807kuwait
on | December 12, 2010, 13:03 GMT

"Wicket taking ability of Stuart Broad" - HAH! What a joke!! Broad is the most over-rated cricketer in the world together with Harbhajan Singh. 99 wickets in 35 test matches at an average in mid-to-higher 30s, well figures do speak for themselves. Someone who cannot even average 3 wickets per test match is an ordinary bowler. And only ordinary bowlers get hit for six sixes in an over.

POSTED BY
on | December 12, 2010, 11:00 GMT

@ CricketFan1980 "Keep in mind that England dropped quite a few catches against Victoria as we speak" Two of them were by Prior, who was fielding out of position and was only in the side to get some batting practice and one hard chance by Davies who won't even be in the side in the next test. So to pin any hopes that this bodes well for Oz is clutching at straws..

POSTED BY
legb4
on | December 12, 2010, 10:53 GMT

No offence Darren but stick to dancing or is it cooking now either one is hopefully better than your bowling was. The aussie team reminds me of the English team 5 years ago so perhaps we need to use the same strategy as them Eg look for some South African second stringers with obscure links to Australia so they can play for us.

POSTED BY
5wombats
on | December 14, 2010, 16:46 GMT

Usually, in test matches - both teams play on the same pitch. Usually, the better team wins. At the Oval in 2009 Australia had openings on several occasions - they just weren't good enough to take them. Aus got bowled out for 160ish after being about 0/80ish. You can't win test matches playing like that on any surface. I seem to remember Eng being reduced to about 3/40 in 2nd Inns they couldn't put England away. Australia frankly - they just weren't good enough to win or even draw. Same goes for Adelaide 2010. It may be hard for you to accept that Marcio - but it needs to be faced. Bluff doesn't win test matches.

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | December 14, 2010, 13:36 GMT

@5wombats "In fact SA only managed to scramble a draw in the final test as a result of a pitch specially prepared for their bowlers." Pot kettle black. Short memory of the dustbowl you guys whipped up for the 5th test last ashes series?

POSTED BY
5wombats
on | December 13, 2010, 21:52 GMT

The usual silly, factually incorrect stuff here. @CricketFan1980; SA v Eng series was DRAWN my friend. In fact SA only managed to scramble a draw in the final test as a result of a pitch specially prepared for their bowlers. As for the Eng series in India - umpires played their part in that.... Goughie is right; Aus won't win a game in this series. @LePom - bang on comments; "For a while Australia has managed to hide its decline by a mixture of bluff and reputation, but the bluff has been called and the reputation is in tatters". This is how Australia fronted up in England summer 2009. And they lost. Bluff doesn't win test matches.

POSTED BY
mvkk
on | December 13, 2010, 6:17 GMT

I don't think Australia are going to give England the easy cake walk gough is expecting. Australia sill definitely come back very very strong. i expect Ponting to come out firing. Johnson and Harris would definitely bowl a lot better and i look forward to these guys to make Australia win this test.

POSTED BY
india-the-worldchampions
on | December 12, 2010, 20:03 GMT

I guess English are getting carried away with just one victory. Remember Indian Team were also in the same position in 2003-04 tour of Australia where the first match was drawn at brisbane and in Adelaide India won the match and were leading the series but in the next game at Melbourne Australia turned it around by leveling the series. I guess English Team and their media are prematurely getting excited which their habit since they always been suffering at the hand of Australia. Moreover,too much is being made of this victory.It must be seen as any other victory.

POSTED BY
brotherofcow
on | December 12, 2010, 18:58 GMT

Great logic, Goughie- the pitch has bounce so play someone who already ought to get bounce on any wicket. Seriously, I'd play Bresnan and Shahzad-who will both get bounce at the WACA if its needed- and drop Swann. Pietersen and Strauss both are in the wickets and can provide spin if needed (!) but pace wins at the WACA, not spin. As it is, Australia are the team who bizarrely might end up with the right kind of selection if only because they have no decent spinner that would feel obliged to play (sorry Beer - you aren't even a half-decent spinner!). Thus, I make Oz slight favourites - Johnson can't be as bad as he was at the Gabba. Can he?

POSTED BY
on | December 12, 2010, 14:27 GMT

To Vivekanand Joshi, I agree with you about sleeping lions being dangerous and I believe if England (I am English by the way) are over complacent they will let Australia in the door. You mentioned Ponting being likely to score big at Perth because he will feel his position as Captain under pressure of being axed. Well...i've got something to say about that. if Ponting does score BIG then you have to question his loyalty to his country and his selflessness because if he can only score highly when his position is under pressure then perhaps the Aussie selectors should threaten him with the sack every match. Ponting needs to come down off his cloud and start playing for his team rather than his own personal fate...and the same is to be said of Hussey and Clarke who will only perform better suddenly it seems when there's talk of them being dropped. They are too inconsistent.

POSTED BY
amit1807kuwait
on | December 12, 2010, 13:03 GMT

"Wicket taking ability of Stuart Broad" - HAH! What a joke!! Broad is the most over-rated cricketer in the world together with Harbhajan Singh. 99 wickets in 35 test matches at an average in mid-to-higher 30s, well figures do speak for themselves. Someone who cannot even average 3 wickets per test match is an ordinary bowler. And only ordinary bowlers get hit for six sixes in an over.

POSTED BY
on | December 12, 2010, 11:00 GMT

@ CricketFan1980 "Keep in mind that England dropped quite a few catches against Victoria as we speak" Two of them were by Prior, who was fielding out of position and was only in the side to get some batting practice and one hard chance by Davies who won't even be in the side in the next test. So to pin any hopes that this bodes well for Oz is clutching at straws..

POSTED BY
legb4
on | December 12, 2010, 10:53 GMT

No offence Darren but stick to dancing or is it cooking now either one is hopefully better than your bowling was. The aussie team reminds me of the English team 5 years ago so perhaps we need to use the same strategy as them Eg look for some South African second stringers with obscure links to Australia so they can play for us.

POSTED BY
finncam
on | December 11, 2010, 23:18 GMT

Warne is not interested in playing again. The board and CA are not interested, the current team are not interested, most fans with their heads screwed on are not interested. There is a bit of wishful thinking around, that's all, hardly lots of cries for his return. And guess what, if he did return, he wouldn't make it through a Test and he probably wouldn't play too well, because - he's 41, he's out of form, out of practice and he knows that it is long over. He's just flirting with the media when he doesn't deny it outright. So, get over it. Warne is history

POSTED BY
braindead_rocker
on | December 11, 2010, 21:38 GMT

KURUWITA, did you realize that the fast bowlers of England in the Victoria match are the B team bowlers. Their main pace attack is formidable. Broad will be missed but make no mistake, Australia will lose the forthcoming test as well.
Their new spinner has hardly got any test experience. Greg Chappel must be freaking out to make such foolish decisions.

All the anti English haters who predicted a 5-0 drubbing of England are now speechless. England are 1-0 up with 3 tests to go. Barring any major complacency by them, I see them winning at least 2 of the next 3 matches. Ponting better apply for other jobs now itself.

POSTED BY
CricketFan1980
on | December 11, 2010, 17:57 GMT

Well .. one test match win and every former English players (like Nasser Hussain and Darren Gough) who never tasted victory against Australia, pitch in and hail this English team as the best ever. This "best" ever English team got thrashed in SA and India not so long ago (against India they lost both home AND away). Anyone who watched the Gabba test match will say that Aussies lost out on a good opportunity to put one across England. In Adelaide England started well and sustained the pressure in the second innings using the score board more than anything. If Australia bat well in the first innings and get a good lead in Perth, with the four prong attack and an unknown wrist spinner (Steve Smith) they do have a chance to win this test match. Keep in mind that England dropped quite a few catches against Victoria as we speak. Melbourne will be a draw and Sydney will be the decider if Australia wins in Perth. I predict a 1-1 series draw with England retaining the Ashes.

POSTED BY
on | December 11, 2010, 13:43 GMT

Well the writing is on the walls australians r becoming windies rather than crying for warne they shuld have luked for youngsters while warne and mcgrath were playing..there bench strength is all over 30's david hussey,brad hodge i think they shuld call symonds for test series.....

POSTED BY
on | December 11, 2010, 12:50 GMT

Just about every post in this thread is full of ifs and buts.. If Ponting fires... if Johnson is on song... if Watson at long last converts a 50 into a century...We know what Hussey can do... Can Cook continue his rich vien... will Broads replacement take a 5for...and so the list goes on.. I guess what all it boils down to is that at the moment, Aussie fans have to hope for a revival whilst Eng fans hope for a continuation of theirs. In the end, Eng only have to win 1 of the 3 remaining tests to retain the urn...whereas to win it, the Aussies have to win 1 more than Eng.

POSTED BY
MaruthuDelft
on | December 11, 2010, 8:40 GMT

Gough is crazy. Anderson could go ineffective for 2 tests in row anytime. He is that type of a bowler. Swann alone won't be able to bowl Australia out twice. A match winning performance from Ben Hifenhaus is around. I don't understand how they could ever drop him! Selection for Adelaid was crazy. A Ricky Ponting double hundred is pending. Cook won't be able to maintain the level concentration he showed in th first 2 tests. Pietersen may have another big knock. The teams are more or less equal. Australia is likely to win in Perth.

POSTED BY
LALITHKURUWITA
on | December 11, 2010, 7:36 GMT

ALL 3 POMS faster bowlers failed against Victoria. It is a good sign for Aussies.

POSTED BY
sunnymachoo
on | December 11, 2010, 7:22 GMT

Australia must come back in Perth or it will be very shattering state of affairs. And seeing Warne play again would be very exciting! =) If they lose in Perth, selectors will surely "consider" such a move, even if they don't do it at the end.

POSTED BY
piecricket
on | December 11, 2010, 6:45 GMT

@maximum6 England are going well. I don't think they are going down. Maybe you should have said, "The most hated cricket team is on the rise." That would have made it a lot clearer.

POSTED BY
on | December 11, 2010, 6:09 GMT

I wont agree on the thing that host won;t win a single test! you must have heard of a dialouge "a sleeping lion is also dangerous". its 100% sure that ponting will be axed if Australia loses the series. so he will now do his best to bounce back.keeping in mind pommies are really doing good, may be Australia will draw and win the next one! i m eagerly waiting for the fifth test. i hope everything wont be over till then!

and btw i just look into the blog myturntobat.com! its freakin awesome and they are planning to start greatest encounters ever! the first one is already published

here's the link: http://myturntobat.com/

POSTED BY
eminem
on | December 10, 2010, 23:43 GMT

Gough is ABSOLUTELY right. The reason being Aussie cricket is built around a few factors as 65% confidence & attitude, 20% technique and 15% strength.
Other players around the world (majority at-least) is based on 30% confidence & attitude, 65% technique and 5% strength.
As you can see For the Aussie team (now or before) that if the technique or strength variables are low they can win because of the confidence and attitude. So logically if the factor that makes them win most of all is down, then they have no way of bouncing back because of the other variables being too low.
On the other hand if a player is predominantly built with sound technique ( as in other countries) then all they needed will be an attitude adjustment and they can bounce back, because the attitude factor wasn't their major factor in the first place.
At the end of the day, bouncing back depends on attitude and confidence and I think the Aussie camp doesn't have enough, sadly their major factor all these years.

POSTED BY
Puffin
on | December 10, 2010, 23:36 GMT

I can see Australia winning a test in this series if England have a bad day (and it is possible, better teams than England have them), and the Aussies jump on them and take full advantage. They did half the job in the first test, so it's not utterly impossible. However I really can't see this sort of thing happening twice, and one more two-day England runfest and that's all but certain to end their hopes of winning back the ashes this time.

POSTED BY
cricket_for_all
on | December 10, 2010, 22:38 GMT

@calypsocricket: AUS is above PAK and WI ? Are you joking?. AUS couldn't even win the series with very weak PAK in England (1-1) and they lost to PAK in T-20 too. Common; WI played well in SL (SL is much better than AUS) even though the test series were washed out. I would put AUS below PAK and WI (Bangladesh also doing good). AUS can definitely bounce back (That is different story) but they are so weak now a days.

POSTED BY
Skool
on | December 10, 2010, 21:48 GMT

Why do even they make such amateur statements!! What is going on with the Oz and the Pomz? The other day, there were reports of a fight between Botham and Chapell. Really? At this age? How stupid are these people!! Crazy!!

POSTED BY
2.14istherunrate
on | December 10, 2010, 21:45 GMT

This is like Star Wars and the end of the evil Empire. The most hated side in history is going DOWN bigtime!!!

POSTED BY
calypsocricket
on | December 10, 2010, 20:51 GMT

They will be lucky to win a couple of sessions, rather than a WHOLE TEST. Your predications are spot on ! This present Australia side is second to this present England side. Maybe, in the future, Australia will be at the helm again, but for the time being, their place is at the bottom of the Table, above WI,PAK,BANG,ZIM. It takes time to develope a Champion Team.

They are done for the Worl Cup also. Will not make it into the final four.

POSTED BY
LePom
on | December 10, 2010, 20:13 GMT

Marcio - Fair comments. Of course Australia will bounce back. I just don't think it will be for a while. Yes, they have talent coming through (as with the under 19s), but it will take time to turn them into a world beating adult team.
As for the domestic cricket, you may or may not be right. The Sheffield shield used to be the best domestic competition in the world, but is it now? Are the standards the top in the world at the moment? You have test players doing really well in the domestic competition, but failing badly in tests. That may be coincidence, or, another explanation is that the domestic standard may be down too, which would explain the test decline.
Will Australian cricket die? Of course not. It is not the first decline they have been through, and won't be the last either. The sooner it is recognized for what it is the sooner it can be corrected. Though, as an England fan, I'd be happier for the state of denial to remain for as long as possible. :)

POSTED BY
srtedulkar
on | December 10, 2010, 19:33 GMT

Enough said England 2 - 1. There should be a change of guard in the aussie team and Ponting should give up his captaincy.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 19:00 GMT

@SPIRITWITHIN - ponting can get a double hundred but he cannot take 20 english wickets ....its funny to expect aussie wins ashes ...never gonna happen.

POSTED BY
DECCAN_DARE_DEVILS
on | December 10, 2010, 18:05 GMT

It's always so exciting to watch the contests between the 2 great cricketing countries. Obvious that the Aussies have been the dominating country for the last few years courtesy Glenn & Warnie. After their retirements the Aussies are definitely finding rather difficult to fill in the void. I thought the domination of Aussies is towards the end. Every cricketing team rises and fall as everyone has witnessed right from the West Indians, Australia and now the team India. It's part and parcel of the game. Darren Gough has said rightly that the Team England is on the rise. For sure they are on the rise considering the aptness and aggressiveness they have shown in the 1st and the 2nd Test. Beating Aussies in their home is rather difficult task but the English Team has proved that beating any team on their home surfaces is not a difficult task provided everything is properly planned and executed to 100%. For sure the Aussies will find it rather tuff to match & stop the MARCHING ENGLISH TEAM !

POSTED BY
addiemanav
on | December 10, 2010, 17:40 GMT

the more i read about cakewalk like easy win for eng,the more i hav started to believe that the aussie turnaround is round the corner!!eng should guard against the growing complacency..their confidence is growing by the minute and the aussies would be hoping they get over-confident and make some mistake!!although for australia,perth has to provide the fightback..the game will produce a result,that is for sure..and if aus lose it then the series is gone,but if they can make a comeback and thrash eng the momentum may just shift..& it wont be surprising if aus reach sydney with 2-1 up..but yes,for that to happen they have to start brilliantly at perth...so i think day1 at perth is extremely crucial!!but aussies are getting too desperate..amazing that young spinners with no experience are being included in the side!!

POSTED BY
starjay
on | December 10, 2010, 14:18 GMT

I can clearly see this Australian bunch are not cocky or arrogant like the previous bunch. One can remember how McGrath, Warne etc teased and taunted visiting teams by predicting whitewashes of sorts. This group understands they are only average cricketers and could be beaten by anyone. I think it's good for world cricket where the top 5 teams are more evenly matched. It results in exciting contests with loads of twists. I don't see Australia winning a single test this series. I am not an England fan when I say that but given the confidence of every member of this England setup it would be fair to predict England will take the urn home by at least winning another one of the remaining 3 tests.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 13:36 GMT

The current aussie team needs a complete overhaul and the right man to put a plan together is the legendary Steve Waugh, cometh the hour cometh the man, there is no greater tactican than Steve Waug,he has the ability to get a new team going with minimum fuss.

POSTED BY
Jeepster
on | December 10, 2010, 13:22 GMT

I found Gough's comments both insighful and thought provoking - so much so that I would be incredibaly interested in hearing opinions from any of the other delegates from the Red Tractor Beef and Lamb launch. Is there a live feed from here?

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 13:08 GMT

Who would have thought that such a day would beckon in Ricky Ponting's career! Cricket is indeed a great leveller! Three successive test defeats is a row for Australia....never through I would see it in this lifetime!

POSTED BY
dgpg25
on | December 10, 2010, 12:40 GMT

Darren Gough's statement that bringing Warne back into the Australian team would be a backward step for Cricket Australia clearly shows that the English are still scared of Warne!! It could be inferred as if he is trying to dissuade them from comtemplating CA from actually bringing back Warnie!!

POSTED BY
imran.adam
on | December 10, 2010, 9:56 GMT

australia will bouce back this team is in the rebuilding phase,and for the game you need a strong australian team cuz we might hate them but we do like watching their aggressive brand of cricket which they were playing for the last one and a half decade

POSTED BY
spiritwithin
on | December 10, 2010, 8:54 GMT

Mr.Darren Gough,dont think that ur team is very superior,they have won only one tests till now,first try to win the ashes and then go gaga over ur english team,eng definitely wont win a single tests from now on.Ponting just need one good innings to turn the table and then we will see how good english r....

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 8:45 GMT

Gough has always been full of bluster with an highly inflated opinion of himself & it comes as no surprise that he now jumps on the ashes bandwagon again, as that that rather sums up his career......that most of his best deeds were done off the back of other players hard work (eg Melborne win & Sydney hat trick 1998-99, Dean Headley outbowled him & bought England into the game on both occassions, 1997 Edgbaston win - only took wickets after Devon Malcolm had roughed up Waugh & co). I wouldnt pay too much attention as to what he has to say.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 8:32 GMT

It is indeed an impetuous statement by Darren Gough. However I hope England proves him right, I have had enough with Australia's arrogance in the cricketing world. They fancied themselves to win this series 5-0 before it began; under the delusion that they are still invincible and the best team in the world; though their fortress had been breached long back by South Africa and now they have suffered one of the worst defeats ever in Adelaide; with a ridiculous start of 2 for 3. And Australia thought they would win the Test series in India too easily, but they lost a match that they should have won at Mohali . I think Australia have lost their killer instinct completely.
I know Australia have showed tremendous bouncebackability in the past; but it requires a lot of effort by the current squad to even square this series. And I do hope England are totally focussed on the job at hand and don't get ahead of themselves. Good luck to the England team for this is their best chance .

POSTED BY
sweetspot
on | December 10, 2010, 8:18 GMT

Normally I would back Australia to bounce back, and they might still win ONE Test, but no way THIS Australian team is going to find the firepower from its current crop.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 7:34 GMT

If Ponting fails as a batsman at Perth he should resign. He has already failed as a captain. What is his worth to Australia. Ponting is the weakling in Australian Eleven

POSTED BY
mysay
on | December 10, 2010, 7:28 GMT

Australia will not with the Ashes, they may win a test at the most, but not the urn. The main reason is the shuffling that has been taking place when it comes to their bowlers, and bringing in bowlers who are unheard of (Beer) for the Ashes shows desperation. You need senior players who can make an impact, but as Midge showed in the first test, he cannot. I don't think layoff from one test is enough to turn him around. As for Gough going with Tremlet, that's the best way forward, this cannot be helped as this pick has been made due to injury, unlike changes made for underperformance, as Aussies are stuck doing.

POSTED BY
Truemans_Ghost
on | December 10, 2010, 7:24 GMT

Goughy's comments almost exactly mirror Lillee's before the series. "I'm a retired fast bowler. Your team are rubbish, my team are great". Both are cricketers which I admire, but this kind of thing is hardly news.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 6:56 GMT

Why doesnt Coughie and all you are poster put your money where your mouth is. You guys seems like experts. Go to the bookie (am i allowed to use that word??) and bet on your predictions. Geez, some of u sound so convinced, forgetting that anything can happen. AUS are not out of it, and it is impossible to say that they are gonna lose 4-0, 3-0 etc. They are a great team, playing at home and with 50 000 australians behind them, they have the spirit to come back. Ponting can win this himself, we all know he has the talent.
So please have some respect guys.

POSTED BY
Rooboy
on | December 10, 2010, 6:10 GMT

@Navin84 - Ponting DID NOT say Aus would win 5-0. A reporter asked him if it was possible and he said it was. Which was true. This is not the same as saying WE WILL win 5-0 (which McGrath did, but he's not playing any more and you just expect that from him anyway) Just as it was possible for England to win 5-0. As was every other permutation of results possible. I "HATE" it when people criticise others for things that did not happen!! And I guess we should respect Gough's assesment, he would surely be an expert regarding losing Ashes series

POSTED BY
anver777
on | December 10, 2010, 6:07 GMT

U never know my dear English fans, suddenly Aussies can back with a improved performances......this is cricket one or two bad sessions can change the match & the series !!!!!!!!!!

POSTED BY
Aussasinator
on | December 10, 2010, 6:03 GMT

To soulstation- You are right. Wives being around is important because a typical Australian tour lasts 3 months, the longest of them all. I fail to see the reason behind a ten day gap between each test. This kind of a schedule places the home side in a great advantage and is perhaps one of the reasons behind the mental fatigue visiting teams undego on a tour to Ozland.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 5:36 GMT

Gough! This is coming from a man who never won an Ashes in his career! England may win Ashes this time but don't write-off Australia yet

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 5:29 GMT

Darren Gough cannot make a statement like this. One match, Aussies will rock back and England can loose the morale. Also, if you see the bowling attack of Eng, they have the spear head by name Anderson. If he fails, then other seamers, will loose the morale. Especially Staurt Broad. One more thing, Aussies should also make changes and bring Mitchy in for the Perth. Perth will suit fast bowlers from both ENG and AUS. Here the main point is mind game. How much balls you are successfully facing gives you the result in Perth and it is not the one like how many runs you scored. Both the team should aim for that, which means they shouldn't throw away their wickets. Concentration and Settlement is the Key factor of success in Perth Test.

POSTED BY
on | December 10, 2010, 5:19 GMT

I think it is more about poor leadership qualities of Ricky Ponting and his deputy.

POSTED BY
DINESHCC
on | December 10, 2010, 5:16 GMT

After wiining the Mumbai test in 2001, Shane Warne predicted that Aus will win the series 3-0. Whereas India won 2-1. For the 2008-09 series Stuart Clarke predicted that India would lose 0-4. Whereas the margin was 2-1 for Australia including the controversy win at Sydney. In the 2005 Ashes in England Mcgrath predicted a 5-0 whitewas for England whereas England won 2-1. In the 2010 Ashes Ponting predicted a 5-0 whitewash. But today he is fighting for a place in the team. In the India NZ series almost all the former cricketers predicted that India would win the game 3-0 margin, whereas India struggled in the entire series. Therefore Mr.Cough don't predict anything. During last Ashes Eng lost a match after scoring 550 + runs. Anything can happen in Cricket. One good spell or one good innings from the tailender change the entire match. The series is still in favour of Australia only. But for series win, instead of some beer and whisky Aus should have selected Cameroon White and Symonds.

POSTED BY
RaghuramanR
on | December 10, 2010, 4:52 GMT

Though I had given England the edge in Ian Chappell's article on this series, I had mentioned that England should speak less and do the talking on the field. Gough talk is simply what I and more importantly England dont want. Anderson is going to miss the third test and I think we are going to see a Ponting classic leading to an Australian win. Australia may well show how they play when they have their backs to the wall.

POSTED BY
Viper2.0
on | December 10, 2010, 4:45 GMT

I wonder what darren gough will say if Aussies end up winning the Ashes!

POSTED BY
cricPassion2009
on | December 10, 2010, 4:34 GMT

Sorry Darren. I love the way England is playing, but for heaven's sake do not make pompous statements. Australia's lean patch will not last too long. If Ponting comes back to form, the tests will be evenly matched; and if a new captain replaces Ponting to take the pressure off from him, then you'll see the difference.

POSTED BY
anshu.sunny
on | December 10, 2010, 4:31 GMT

LoL at Gough..

Oz will win at perth.

POSTED BY
srivatsan
on | December 10, 2010, 4:29 GMT

Great, Australia have reached a point where Gough comments (the Gough I knew was hit every corner of every ground in Australia and England not so long ago) :-)

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | December 10, 2010, 3:45 GMT

@LePom "...the result of a cupboard pretty bare of credible replacements". It's not quite as bare as you think, old chap. I have been watching some domestic cricket, and there are some exceptionally good players coming through. Luke Feldman and Mitchel Starc are two very good fast bowlers, as just one example. And maybe you don't know, Australia just won the under 19 world cup a few months ago. Those predicting the death of Australian cricket are short-sighted. Lack of talent is not the primary problem, with the obvous exception of the spin bowling department.

POSTED BY
LePom
on | December 10, 2010, 3:02 GMT

Marcio - You failed to mention the other early wicket in innings occurrence. Straus out for 0 in England's first innings at Adelaide, 620 for 5 declared. But that hardly backs up your point does it?
I know it is hard to accept, but, man for man on the field, England have the better team. The high scores are not some statistical anomaly, they are the product of in form batsmen meeting sub standard bowlers. Australia are not the team they once were, and neither are England.

POSTED BY
soulstation
on | December 10, 2010, 2:12 GMT

REPLY TO JOHN PRICE

They will not run out of steam this time around... why? Beacause now the wives will be with them... Good thinking by the ECB

POSTED BY
Marcio
on | December 10, 2010, 1:52 GMT

The key is putting batsmen under pressure, as Aust did to Eng in the 1st inings of the 1st test. The ball was moving around a bit, and the bowlers took advantage of it. It's amazing what happens when you lose an early wicket - Strauss from the 3rd ball at the Gabba, while Katich was run out from the 4th ball in Perth - both teams got similar scores in the mid 200s. It is irrational to state that such an event can only occcur once in the series - even though these were the only times either team has really gotten a low score. Aust's 300 in the 2nd innings was actually a decent score in the conditions. The series is not over.

POSTED BY
Skool
on | December 10, 2010, 1:25 GMT

The English need to understand that it's too soon to write them off. It's Australia, for God's sake. It's Ponting! Players who are going to matter in the coming matches- Ponting, Hussy, Johnson, Watson and Clarke. England can rely only on Pietersen, Bell and Collingwood. They don't have good bowlers barring Anderson. I don't think Swann is as effective as he appears to be (from the media and his records against teams like NZ).

POSTED BY
Navin84
on | December 10, 2010, 1:23 GMT

I agree with Cr Srinivas. I "HATE" it when players make these kind of comments. B4 the series Pointing and McGrath said aus would win 5-0, after 2 games, what is the score line? Pointing also said the english batsmen won't be able to cope with the pitches. Darren Gough, don't be surprise if aus win the series because 2 good performance is not a guarantee that the next 3 would be the same, every day, every match is a new begining, it's not a computer game where u can pause and continue later with the same score.

POSTED BY
LePom
on | December 10, 2010, 1:02 GMT

John-Price- What you say about South Africa is true.
But Australia are not South Africa. They do not have the same quality and depth of either bowling attack or batting depth. South Africa have earned their position as current No. 2.
They were a team on the up, with healthy self belief and could see the lost test as a one-off aberration.
For Australia, they are a team sliding in the rankings, with a string of poor results, and this last result can be seen as the natural and logical conclusion of past form and policies. (and the result of a cupboard pretty bare of credible replacements)
England also seem to have learned from the South African experience. Yes, they still have the odd bad innings, but seem to be able to avoid stringing 2 of them together in the same test. Something that was a hallmark of the great Australian team of a few years ago, and of the other top teams now.

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 23:26 GMT

Let's not get above our station just yet, but Australia's attack does look toothless, and for iwannabehayden to state that 'Johnson will cream you in perth' is rather optimistic. Maybe he was dropped rather hastily for the Adelaide Test, but he was lacking rhythmn in Brisbane and for him to have any kind of epiphany is highly unlikely. As for Sydney, which team has the best spinners?

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 23:18 GMT

I'm an English fan and I sense danger in making predictions because it then leads to complaceny. Nearly everything i've read is stating how well England played and how bad Australia are and that they will loose. over confidence is a bad thing and it could be the death of England if they don't take Australia seriously as no doubt they will fire back harder. They must and I can see them giving it their all. Australian's are known for their battling spirit, but I feel the cocksureness of the media and fans could effect England team's mentallity. In order words Strauss and co will go into the 3rd test thinking they have already won and that they don't have to try too hard. Before we know it we'll be bundled out for 150 and having to watch the Aussies pile on the runs. Softly softly, careful and circumspect as these Aussies has history has shown have a habit of ruining ones plans.

POSTED BY
John-Price
on | December 9, 2010, 22:22 GMT

Let's not forget, England won one match by an almost identical margin to the Adelaide victory against South Africa in second test in 2009-10 (innings and 74 runs then) and this was also hailed as the most complete performance in recent memory, Cook got a hundred and Swan got 5 wickets. In the end, England were lucky to draw the four match series - had it been a five match series, they would almost certainly have lost. The lesson is that England have a record of running out of steam on overseas trips; if they are to come away with a good result in this series, they will have to reverse that trend.

POSTED BY
LePom
on | December 9, 2010, 22:17 GMT

It is all very well to say that England are only one bad performance away from collapse and Australia one good performance away from domination, but that ignores the fact that there has been a sea change.
England had a bad two days at the start of the Gabba test, but, far from folding meekly, they turned it completely around, dominating the rest of that test, and dominating the whole of the next one.
Really, England have reacted like you would expect Australia to, and Australia look like the old England. It is the Australian tail that has folded meekly three times now, and been the ones showing signs of mental fragility.
Likewise it fielding and bowling were inept and impotent.
Gough knows first hand how traumatic a result like the last test is for a team, and how hard it is to bounce back to parity let alone dominance after one.
For a while Australia has managed to hide its decline by a mixture of bluff and reputation, but the bluff has been called and the reputation is in tatters.

POSTED BY
Rusty_1
on | December 9, 2010, 22:15 GMT

It's almost statistically impossible for Australia not to take 20 wickets at some time during the series - I would like to see the stats on that... how many five test match series have 1 side not managed to bowl out the other side twice. I think it would be pretty low. I for one am going to have a flutter on the Aussies to win the third test in Perth once the selectors name the 13-man squad today. Perth is the Aussies best chance for the rest of the series to win as the pitch / conditions will clearly be in their favour. A win will really knock the wind out of the English sails...

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 21:22 GMT

Darren gough..cmon..you are no different from Glen or Stuart..making predictions...I totally agree with Mitcher...stop making predictions and enjoy the damn cricket

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 21:11 GMT

Iwannabehayden. Great stuff. Wonderful that you think it will come down to SCG ho ho. Also it will come down to the spinner and Aus will win 2-1. Have you been watching?? Maybe Warne will come back, maybe merv at the other end. Hell, let's get the don back. I love it. I have not laughed this loud in years.

POSTED BY
Chris_P
on | December 9, 2010, 20:36 GMT

Gough is correct if the current effort of Australia is repeated. That is, 12 dropped catches, taking 6 wickets for over 1000 runs and England taking their all their catches (or almost all). I was at the Gabba the first 2 days and I saw Australia take their catches and dismiss England for 260 and bat their way to a lead of over 200 runs. Cricket is a great game because of these factors. Anything can and usually does happen. There is nothing that repeats itself as a century can quite easily be followed by a pair or a 6for followed by a drought (Siddle's case). Anyone who has played competitive cricket would appreciate the ebbs and flows of form, why you can thump a century one week and struggle to hit the ball off the square the following week. It's what makes this game so great. But for sure, the momentum is with England, they need to hold their nerve. It is almost back to the mental strength they have.

POSTED BY
Mitcher
on | December 9, 2010, 20:32 GMT

If anyone knows about not winning Ashes Tests it is Darren Gough . . .

POSTED BY
SnowSnake
on | December 9, 2010, 20:10 GMT

I think that the 3rd test is very important. England is playing well. However, if Aus. wins the 3rd test then this whole thing will become open for any team. England huge scores are statistical anomaly. If England continues these huge scores for another 2-3 tests then they are on their way to #1 test team status and it will only be a matter of time before they get it. If Eng. loses 3rd test then Aus. will be all over them in 4th and 5th tests. In such an event, the Ashes will be revived again.

POSTED BY
iwannabehayden
on | December 9, 2010, 19:24 GMT

all you english fans forgot leeds didn't you. you lost by an innings in ONE of FIVE tests, yet still one the series. aus to win 2 -1, johnson will cream you in perth, melbourne will draw to the weather, and it will come down to the spinners in sydney, good luck england.

POSTED BY
PutMarshyOn
on | December 9, 2010, 19:18 GMT

Broad's wicket taking ability? 2 wickets @ 80 each in this series. Could have been bowling for Aust with those figures.

POSTED BY
SRT_GENIUS
on | December 9, 2010, 19:07 GMT

4-0. I am sure. Aussies going down big time now.

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 19:05 GMT

If Australia continue to perform like they did in Adelaide then Mr. Gough's prediction will materialize very soon.AUS must lift up their game in Perth otherwise another innings defeat is incoming!

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 18:52 GMT

World champions at one-dayers not test matches

POSTED BY
OliverWebber
on | December 9, 2010, 18:48 GMT

I agree that England should avoid complacency at all costs, and I don't think talk of Australia not being capable of winning another test is helpful!
We've seen one big turnaround in the series - between days 2 and 4 in Brisbane, England went from being a distant 2nd to a force to be reckoned with, and then in Adelaide became unstoppable. It could happen in reverse, and we might see England knocked over for under 200 by a rejuvenated Johnson, then Ponting and Hussey make big hundreds. I hope not, as an England fan, but this is the great thing about a 5 test series!
But, Nahal, to say "I know they will come back as they are the world champions" is nonsense. World champions? They are currently ranked no. 5! They will come back at England, I'm sure, as they have some great players (Ponting, Johnson on a good day, Hussey) and a deep-seated determination not to fail. But world champions they are not, and England have a fire about them currently that I've not seen in many years.

POSTED BY
arunNY
on | December 9, 2010, 18:18 GMT

Although i am not a fan of aussies (who actually won a lot of matches in past but not fans) but at times turn around is only one inning away. If ponting gets a century then whole batting revolves around him and australia can get a good score on the board. England bowling has come along well, but dont forget the fact that it was australia who had any real chance of winning the first test (England only saved it with good batting performance); so it wont be a wise idea to write australia off and England need to keep on playing good cricket....

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 18:01 GMT

Australia will win the series 2-1.

POSTED BY
phoenixsteve
on | December 9, 2010, 17:54 GMT

England seem to have all the answers and it does look good for the rest of the series. However, we MUST NOT underestimate the opposition and one bad session could have serious series consequences? Darren Goughs' comments don't help but fortunately I don't think Messrs Flower & Strauss will be paying too much heed! It seems very sad that Australian fans are deluding themselves so much? From what we have seen so far England are just a far far better team. Long may it continue! COME ON ENGLAND!

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 17:50 GMT

@Nahal. Mate Aussies have lost 4 out of 5 previous test matches. I do agree that they shall try to come hard at English, but there is no way you can call them World Champions after all you cannot forward the legacy of Warne and McGrath endlessly. otherwise by that logic we could still say that Richards and Co. form a formidable Windies team at moment.
Well coming to the issue of Aussies beating English in this series, I also have my doubts as there is hardly any arsenal left in the Aussie Camp. To make the matters worse, Marcus North seems to be given opportunity after opportunity by selectors to score another century and cement his place in the team for next 5-7 test matches irrespective whether he gets out on blob or atmost a score in teens.
On the other hand, English batsmen are having a merry.
Swann is going to rip through the Aussie batting at SCG and most probably even at MCG. So one can safely presume that whatever chance Aussies have, has to be converted into a win at WACA.

POSTED BY
spanishwestindian
on | December 9, 2010, 17:47 GMT

They can't take 20 wickets? They can't even take ten!!!

POSTED BY
Tlotoxl
on | December 9, 2010, 17:28 GMT

Aus won't give up but you have to take into account that in 304 overs of T1I3 and T2I2 the Aussies took 6/1137 - even on the flatest of flat pitches you cannot win games with that kind of toothless bowling. England have taken 31 wickets in 368 overs, Aus have taken 16 in 380 overs and the includes bowling in good bowling conditions on day 1 of T1. England to win 3-0 with Aus being saved by the weather in the other match.

POSTED BY
livinlovinnrockin
on | December 9, 2010, 17:19 GMT

Gough was right. This series will finish 4 - 0 to England. Afghanistan would beat the Auusies at the mo.

POSTED BY
dogbear
on | December 9, 2010, 17:18 GMT

Things will change out of any recognition should Aus get a good start in Perth. Their press will change tack dramatically, and the Aussie papers will return to lauding Aus and bashing Poms, and accordingly the English redtops will return to the usual negative nonsense, while the broadsheets will take a similiar line but with longer words.

Gough's words scare me a little, the press have certainly become complacent following Adelaide. As an Englishman, I refuse to do so - beware the Aussie fightback.

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 17:15 GMT

Whats up with Pommie Cricketers turning chef.....Havent they had enough of Gordon Ramsey and Jamie oliver.....And hey, GO India and NZ (hmm) this coming world cup!!!

POSTED BY
tanstell87
on | December 9, 2010, 17:14 GMT

@Nahal
World Champions at number 5 in rankings....India is number 1....test champions...& they will be there for a long time...Gough is absolutely right...Australia cant win any test...England will win 3-0...there will be draw in Sydney...

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 16:52 GMT

GOUGH IS ALSO ENJOYING LITTLE LOW TIME OF AUSTRALIA
I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT HE WANTS TO SAY
HE WANTS TO SAY THAT AUSTRALIA SHOULD STOP PLAYING CRICKET, right ????
why england is playing cricket for so long without winning anything

POSTED BY
Nahal
on | December 9, 2010, 16:27 GMT

What an Over Confidence Mr. Gough. By the way these are aussies and i have full faith in their strength. I know they will come back as they are the world champions.

POSTED BY
addiemanav
on | December 9, 2010, 15:58 GMT

at this moment it does seem that aus wont win any game..but if they start well at perth and bowl out eng cheaply,they can bounce back...and once they bounce back,they will be very dangerous..eng should not be complacent..just saw the news that KP was charged for overspeeding and anderson has gone back on paternity leave..although there is no link,but eng should be careful of the backlash..the 1st day at perth is extremely crucial for the series!!eng hasnt won the series yet..and aus r only 1-0 down..series has still 3 games left!

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
addiemanav
on | December 9, 2010, 15:58 GMT

at this moment it does seem that aus wont win any game..but if they start well at perth and bowl out eng cheaply,they can bounce back...and once they bounce back,they will be very dangerous..eng should not be complacent..just saw the news that KP was charged for overspeeding and anderson has gone back on paternity leave..although there is no link,but eng should be careful of the backlash..the 1st day at perth is extremely crucial for the series!!eng hasnt won the series yet..and aus r only 1-0 down..series has still 3 games left!

POSTED BY
Nahal
on | December 9, 2010, 16:27 GMT

What an Over Confidence Mr. Gough. By the way these are aussies and i have full faith in their strength. I know they will come back as they are the world champions.

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 16:52 GMT

GOUGH IS ALSO ENJOYING LITTLE LOW TIME OF AUSTRALIA
I REALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT HE WANTS TO SAY
HE WANTS TO SAY THAT AUSTRALIA SHOULD STOP PLAYING CRICKET, right ????
why england is playing cricket for so long without winning anything

POSTED BY
tanstell87
on | December 9, 2010, 17:14 GMT

@Nahal
World Champions at number 5 in rankings....India is number 1....test champions...& they will be there for a long time...Gough is absolutely right...Australia cant win any test...England will win 3-0...there will be draw in Sydney...

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 17:15 GMT

Whats up with Pommie Cricketers turning chef.....Havent they had enough of Gordon Ramsey and Jamie oliver.....And hey, GO India and NZ (hmm) this coming world cup!!!

POSTED BY
dogbear
on | December 9, 2010, 17:18 GMT

Things will change out of any recognition should Aus get a good start in Perth. Their press will change tack dramatically, and the Aussie papers will return to lauding Aus and bashing Poms, and accordingly the English redtops will return to the usual negative nonsense, while the broadsheets will take a similiar line but with longer words.

Gough's words scare me a little, the press have certainly become complacent following Adelaide. As an Englishman, I refuse to do so - beware the Aussie fightback.

POSTED BY
livinlovinnrockin
on | December 9, 2010, 17:19 GMT

Gough was right. This series will finish 4 - 0 to England. Afghanistan would beat the Auusies at the mo.

POSTED BY
Tlotoxl
on | December 9, 2010, 17:28 GMT

Aus won't give up but you have to take into account that in 304 overs of T1I3 and T2I2 the Aussies took 6/1137 - even on the flatest of flat pitches you cannot win games with that kind of toothless bowling. England have taken 31 wickets in 368 overs, Aus have taken 16 in 380 overs and the includes bowling in good bowling conditions on day 1 of T1. England to win 3-0 with Aus being saved by the weather in the other match.

POSTED BY
spanishwestindian
on | December 9, 2010, 17:47 GMT

They can't take 20 wickets? They can't even take ten!!!

POSTED BY
on | December 9, 2010, 17:50 GMT

@Nahal. Mate Aussies have lost 4 out of 5 previous test matches. I do agree that they shall try to come hard at English, but there is no way you can call them World Champions after all you cannot forward the legacy of Warne and McGrath endlessly. otherwise by that logic we could still say that Richards and Co. form a formidable Windies team at moment.
Well coming to the issue of Aussies beating English in this series, I also have my doubts as there is hardly any arsenal left in the Aussie Camp. To make the matters worse, Marcus North seems to be given opportunity after opportunity by selectors to score another century and cement his place in the team for next 5-7 test matches irrespective whether he gets out on blob or atmost a score in teens.
On the other hand, English batsmen are having a merry.
Swann is going to rip through the Aussie batting at SCG and most probably even at MCG. So one can safely presume that whatever chance Aussies have, has to be converted into a win at WACA.